You can help your child develop important life skills, such as responsibility, persistence, goal setting, planning, and confidence.

Make sure your child shows you or tells you about their homework tasks.

Encourage good homework habits, e.g. doing the work during a certain time slot, before tea or supper, or before watching TV.

Make sure that they can concentrate - try switching off the TV and making a space for them to work.

You should not need to help them with the homework content, but make sure you check it has been completed.

Show interest in the content and presentation, and in how the teacher later responds to your child's homework.

Encourage your child to make sure they know the deadline and hand in their homework on time.

If your child does not understand the task, write a note to the teacher who set it for some explanation. If your child is stuck, they have possibly been given homework that is too difficult.

For example, If the homework task seems to be taking longer than it should write a short note saying how long your child did spend on the task.

If homework is causing your child and family any problems or stress, make an appointment with your child’s teacher or tutor to try and find some solutions.

In many schools, pupils are able to complete their homework in the school library or in a Homework Club. Are these options for your family?